Elucidating the shaping of the Thai national drug policy with a focus on the pharmaceutical industry and its market actions | |
| Author | Wanrawee Alex Kobpungton |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.DBA-SOM-24-04 |
| Subject(s) | Pharmaceutical Industry--Thailand Drug control--Thailand |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This study aims to investigate how pharmaceutical companies influence policy changes in Thailand through market actions. While existing research acknowledges their role in shaping regulations, it often focuses solely on non-market activities like lobbying and campaign contributions, resulting in a lack of study on how companies utilize market actions to influence policymakers. The approach was qualitative research with interviews as the main data collection tool to shed light on the formation of Thai national pharmaceutical policy with a focus on the pharmaceutical industry and its market activities from the perspective of key stakeholders, including business sectors: multinational pharmaceutical company representatives and a health care consulting company (8); civil society sector: non governmental organizations and advocacy groups and media (4); as well as public sector: policymakers and healthcare professionals (6). Data collection included primary data through in-depth interviews and relevant secondary data, including previous research studies, industry reports and statistical records. To ensure comprehensive selection, we merged purposive sampling with snowballing and convenience strategies. We applied Ostrom's Institutional Analysis Framework (IAD) and the Grounded Theory approach, supported by ATLAS.ti for qualitative data analysis. In analysing the interviewees' statements, key public stakeholders with major influence on policymaking were identified, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Comptroller General's Department (CGD), the National Drug System Development Committee (NDSDC) and the Social Security Office (SSO). In addition, priority policies affecting the pharmaceutical industry, such as the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and the Reference Price, have been prioritized. The top four market actions used by MNCs to influence policy in Thailand are pricing, corporate social responsibility (CSR), customer relations (CR), and public relations (PR), as consistently identified. The analysis also suggests that pharmaceutical companies regularly take the form of a group of organizations rather than a single entity when influencing policymakers in Thailand. Viewed through Ostrom’s framework, the complexity of pharmaceutical policy making in Thailand is shaped by the interests of policymakers, civil society, and the private sector (i.e., action arena or action situation), along with factors like the legal system, policymakers' views on public health, and economic considerations. These interactions require cooperation and compromise. |
| Year | 2024 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Management |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (Publication code = DBA-SM, SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Zimmerman, Willi |
| Examination Committee(s) | Badir,Yuosre F.M.;Vimolwan Yukongdi;Virdis, Salvatore G.P. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2024 |